Louisa May Alcott's short story "Behind a Mask" depicts a protagonist who uses her acting skills to advance in the society of a governess to a lady of the British aristocracy. An article written by Elizabeth Schewe titled "Domestic Conspiracy: Class Conflict and Performance in Louisa May Alcott's 'Behind a Mask'" sheds light on the implications surrounding the governess's actions within the Coventry household. Jean Muir, the governess, uses her acting skills and talent for reading people's character, seeing behind their "masks", in order to achieve her own goals of financial security and a respectable title. By first understanding the role of the governess in the household, one can see how Muir artfully fulfills her role, while also showing how the Coventry family behaves in the same way. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay It is important first to draw attention to the role of the housekeeper in the home. The work itself reveals the act that aristocrats and high society perform towards those of a lower caste. As Schewe states: “It is the governess who teaches… manners, speech, and behavior – the marks of the upper class which are supposed to be innate” (Schewe 581). Therefore, the upper class, although not openly, recognizes that they are in fact no longer superior to Muir, because she is the one who teaches young Bella how to be a proper lady. Mrs. Coventry even admits the need for a governess for her daughter, stating, “My daughter has never had a governess and is unfortunately backward for a girl of sixteen…hire her as quickly as possible” (Alcott 10). The importance to Muir of "getting along quickly" is so that the family can begin to parade Bella through society, showing that she is a decent, high-class lady, ready to marry someone equal in class . Muir's role as governess is, by description, an act. Schewe argues that “a governess is necessary – to accomplish her job, she must play two divergent roles, that of authority and that of inferior” (Schewe 580). Not only does she act as a governess, but she also teaches Bella how to act, teaching her how to behave in society. The fact that her acting career can be used in her role as a governess makes the transition to the show easier for the family. Her goal of financial stability depends on her ability to convince each member of the family in order to seduce one of the men. “She must appeal to the whole family, because she must be loved and trusted enough to interact with men without interference” (Schewe 582). This turns out to be a seemingly simple task for the talented housekeeper. She easily sees through the members of House Coventry, revealing their weaknesses and capitalizing on them. She states at the end of her confiscated letters: “Having perceived the character of each, [I] tried my power over them” (Alcott 99). His power is demonstrated by his ability to manipulate his surroundings, including the Coventry family, in order to continue his act. Indeed, Muir's ability to create a scene and emotion for a person is on full display during and after the fake painting. His participation in the theater captivates everyone, especially Gérald. In front of the audience, “she felt her hands tremble, saw the color shine on his cheek, knew that she had finally touched him, and when she stood up, it was with a feeling of triumph” (Alcott 53). This triumph is not short-lived, but continues as they escape to.